Faculty in the VCU Division of Clinical Toxicology continuously engages in scholarly activities that include both clinical and basic science research in acute care toxicology. The following lists provide examples of active research and publications within the division:
Recent Publications
- Wahrenbrock T, Chambers A, Wheeler M, Wills BK, Kershner E. Etiology of methemoglobinemia in the National Poison Data System®: an observational study. Clin Toxicol (Phila). Published online September 2, 2026. doi:10.1080/15563650.2026.2722076
- Moss M, Liss DB, Cumpston KL, et al. Methotrexate toxicity in the setting of oral therapeutic errors: a multicenter retrospective study. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2026;64(9):801-807. doi:10.1080/15563650.2026.2649907
- Testa JW, Bompard M, Oyekanmi O, Wills BK, Kershner E, Downs JW. Clinical outcomes of "massive" acetaminophen overdose treated with standard vs. augmented dose acetylcysteine. Clin Toxicol (Phila). Published online August 28, 2026. doi:10.1080/15563650.2026.2709730
- Wahrenbrock T, Downs J. What qualifies as a "Chronic Beryllium Disease Diagnostic Center"?. J Occup Environ Med. Published online July 20, 2026. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003832
- Dernbach MR, Lopachin T, Downs JW, Nacca N, Wax P, Kazzi Z. An ACMT Network of Medical Toxicology Clinics (NMTC): A Proposed Collaboration of Medical Toxicologists to Meet National Emergency Preparedness Needs. J Med Toxicol. 2026;22(3):398-402. doi:10.1007/s13181-026-01142-8
- Wahrenbrock TN, Bompard M, Downs JW. Characterizing Clinical Effects of 7-Hydroxymitragynine at a US Poison Control Center. Am J Ther. 2026;33(4):e339-e341. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000002134
- Bompard M, Wahrenbrock TN, Downs JW. Use of Succimer to Treat Copper Sulfate-Induced Hemolysis. Am J Ther. Published online June 15, 2026. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000002165
- Cumpston K. "Back in black" activated charcoal is on center stage again. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2026;64(6):476-477. doi:10.1080/15563650.2026.2681308
- Testa J, Chambers A, Cumpston K. Is low molecular weight polyethylene glycol used for decontamination of dermal phenol exposures? J Occup Environ Med. 2025 Dec 15. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003646. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41396257.
- Sullivan AJ, Testa JW, Downs JW. Is Elevated Urinary β-2 Microglobulin (β2-M) Unique to Cadmium Toxicity? J Occup Environ Med. 2025 Oct 1;67(10):e760-e761. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003456. Epub 2025 May 22. PMID: 40480834.
- Tobarran N, Ahmed M, Chambers A, Wills BK, Cumpston K, Troendle M, Kershner E. Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) Envenomation With Severe Coagulopathy. Am J Ther. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000001940. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40366344.
- Tobarran N, Kershner EK, Cumpston KL, Chambers A, Michienzi A, Rose SR, Charlton N, Wills BK. Vasopressor Requirements in Antipsychotic Overdose: A Poison Center Observational Study. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2025 Mar-Apr 01;45(2):92-95. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001965. Epub 2025 Feb 10. PMID: 39919308.
- Dong C, Oyekanmi O, Deuell Z, Chambers A, Kershner E, Rose SR, Cumpston KL, Wills BK. Outcomes of ingested superabsorbent polymers ("water beads"): A poison center study. Am J Emerg Med. 2025 Mar;89:24-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.12.014. Epub 2024 Dec 9. PMID: 39689629.
- Downs JW, Nacca NE, Stolbach AI, Holland MG. ACMT Comment on Recent Guidance on PFAS Laboratory Testing. J Med Toxicol. 2024 Jul 27;20(3):334-335. doi: 10.1007/s13181-024-01004-1. Epub 2024 Apr 18. PMID: 38637420; PMCID: PMC11288227.
- Oyekanmi O, Dong C, Wills B, Cumpston KL. Peri-mortem rigidity in a fatal case of severe salicylate poisoning. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2024 Apr;62(4):267-268. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2024.2340111. Epub 2024 May 13. PMID: 38738682.
- Wilks MF, Hoyte C, Cumpston KL, Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Tse ML, Ferrer-Dufol A, Thiermann H. The Clinical Toxicology Recommendations Collaborative: purpose, organization, and methodology. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2024 Feb;62(2):76-81. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2024.2321324. Epub 2024 Mar 11. PMID: 38465693.
- Wilson LM, Dong C, Chambers A, Whitty S, Troendle M, Wills BK. Prolonged venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy following Mangshan pit viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) envenomation despite Hemato Polyvalent antivenom administration. Toxicon. 2024 Feb 1;238:107563. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107563. Epub 2023 Dec 21. PMID: 38141969.
- Ochalek TA, Ringwood KJ, Davis TT, Gal TS, Wills BK, Sabo RT, Keyser-Marcus L, Martin CE, Polak K, Cumpston KL, Moeller FG. Rapid induction onto extended-release injectable buprenorphine following opioid overdose: A case series. Drug Alcohol Depend Rep. 2023 Mar 16;7:100144. doi: 10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100144. PMID: 37033158; PMCID: PMC10073633.
- Vignali JD, Pak KC, Beverley HR, DeLuca JP, Downs JW, Kress AT, Sadowski BW, Selig DJ. Systematic Review of Safety of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators in Healthy Adults: Implications for Recreational Users. J Xenobiot. 2023 May 10;13(2):218-236. doi: 10.3390/jox13020017. PMID: 37218811; PMCID: PMC10204391.
- Kershner E, Tobarran N, Chambers A, Jenkins Z, Wills BK, Cumpston KL. Clinical characteristics and outcomes using dexmedetomidine in nonintubated patients: A poison center observational study. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2023 Apr 8;80(8):526-531. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxac378. PMID: 36546397.
- Williams GR, Downs JW, Wolf CE, Cumpston KL, Tobarran N, Wills BK, Bachmann LM. Evaluation of Strontium Interference in Calcium Measurement Procedures and Content in Supplements as Measured by ICP-MS. J Appl Lab Med. 2023 Mar 6;8(2):307-318. doi: 10.1093/jalm/jfac092. PMID: 36705074.
Research Abstracts
- Testa, J., Dong, C., Wills, B., Kershner, E. Thromboelastography (TEG) findings in a series of cyclopeptide mushroom poisonings. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191. (Poster)
- Testa, J., Oyekanmi O., Wills, B., Kershner, E. Pediatric exploratory amlodipine ingestions do not result in clinically important outcomes. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191. (Fellow Platform and Poster)
- Oyekanmi, O., Testa, J., Cumpston, K., Downs, J., Kershner, E., Wills, B. Left in the dark: a case of blindness in the setting of metformin toxicity. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191. (Poster)
- Testa, J., Oyekanmi O., Wills, B., Kershner, E. Reevaluating treatment and disposition in adults with unintentional amlodipine ingestions. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191. (Poster)
- Testa, J., Oyekanmi O., Cumpston, K., Downs, J., Kershner, E., Wills, B. Clinical outcomes of “massive” acetaminophen overdose treated with stand vs. augmented dose of N-acetylcysteine. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191. (Platform)
- Downs, J., Oyeknami, O., Testa, J., An undisclosed source of lead: when turmeric wasn’t the answer. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191.(Poster)
- Testa, J., Wolf, C., Wills, B., Kissel-Smith, H., Williams, G., Moeller, F. Detection of fentanyl analogs by the Abbott iScreen Tox Cup, a novel CLIA-waved point-of-care urine drug detection device. North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) 2025. (2025). Clinical Toxicology, 63(sup3), 1–191. (Platform)
- Oyekanmi O., Dong C., Testa J., Wills B. Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablet Ingestion Results in Esophageal Injury, 2024 Annual North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology, Denver, Colorado, Poster Presentation, September 2024, Clinical Toxicology
- Dong D., Oyekanmi, O., Testa J., Cumpston K., et al. Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions Following Canebrake Rattlesnake Envenomation, 2024 Annual North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology, Denver, Colorado, Poster Presentation, September 2024, Clinical Toxicology
- Patton J., Oyekanmi O., Dong C., Wills B. Acute Intoxication with Amanita Muscaria Chocolate Bars, 2024 Annual North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology, Denver, Colorado, Poster Presentation, September 2024, Clinical Toxicology